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Workers’ rights “progress” thanks to World Cup

This content was published on Jun 21, 2010 Vasco Pedrina, who has been working closely with construction unions in South Africa, says the ongoing labour protests by World Cup stewards and stadium staff are the reflection of the vitality of the country’s worker movements. Pedrina is vice-president of the Building and Wood Workers’ International union and secretary of Switzerland’s largest trade union, Unia.…

Transocean enters Swiss top share index

This content was published on Jun 21, 2010 Shares opened 2.5 per cent higher at SFr60.60 ($53.13) at 9.30 am on Monday. The Zug-based firm started trading on the Swiss stock exchange (SIX) on April 20, which happened to be the same day that an explosion on the Transocean-owned Deepwater Horizon oil rig claimed 11 lives and has caused massive pollution. The SIX…

Manager-employee salary gap still growing

This content was published on Jun 21, 2010 In a study published on Monday, the organisation said the difference in salaries had widened by 18 per cent in 2009, and by 70 per cent since 2002. “The constant rise in managers’ pay puts at risk the Swiss model of economic success, which is based on trust, decency and a functioning social partnership,” says…

Brewing coffee war gathers steam

This content was published on Jun 20, 2010 The exact nature of the patent infringement suit to protect the Nespresso coffee brand against an imitation from the Sara Lee Corporation is not yet known. But experts believe the battle could have profound consequences for companies and consumers. Nestlé filed the action claiming that Sara Lee should not be allowed to sell its coffee…

Firms and consumers cash in on football win

This content was published on Jun 19, 2010 On Thursday supermarket chain Migros came good on a promise to offer customers a ten per cent discount on all products the day after the victory. Other companies have also offered special promotions based on the football team’s success. Migros customers scored a result of their own with the “win premium” saving on groceries, furniture,…

KOF sees hurdle for economic upturn

This content was published on Jun 18, 2010 The institute predicts growth at a rate of 1.8 per cent this year, with private consumption and foreign trade accounting for most of it. Yet KOF expects slightly weaker GDP growth (1.6 per cent) in 2011. It attributes this partly to unfavourable fiscal policies in other European nations. It notes that while Switzerland is in…

Cabinet backs IMF loan for developing countries

This content was published on Jun 18, 2010 Parliament must now decide on whether to approve the loan, which was requested by the IMF. The IMF intends to provide developing countries, also affected by the economic crisis, with adequate support. The fund’s decision to increase its loan fund by $13.5 billion over the next five years should allow the promotion of sustainable macroeconomic…

Swiss firms await Libya diplomatic outcome

This content was published on Jun 17, 2010 Swiss exports to Libya plunged 45 per cent last year and imports from the African state fared even worse – down by more than three-quarters. Libyan oil supplies have also plummeted while banks have seen massive withdrawals. These are the economic consequences of a diplomatic fallout between the two countries that followed the arrest of…

Tests aim to help humans adapt to space

This content was published on Jun 17, 2010 Oliver Ullrich of the university’s Institute of Anatomy said on Thursday that scientists have been given permission to conduct tests aboard the International Space Station to get a better idea of the effects of microgravity on human cells. Astronauts become more vulnerable to skin-fungus infections while in space. Bone metabolism is often disrupted and human…

Central bank holds interest rate steady

This content was published on Jun 17, 2010 The three-month Libor range will remain unchanged at 0-0.75 per cent. Also on Thursday the central bank revised economic growth predictions upwards from 1.5 per cent to around 2.0 per cent. It does not believe this will result in excessive inflation this year or next. Growth is forecast to pick up in Switzerland this year,…

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Workers’ rights “progress” thanks to World Cup

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Transocean enters Swiss top share index

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Manager-employee salary gap still growing

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Brewing coffee war gathers steam

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Firms and consumers cash in on football win

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KOF sees hurdle for economic upturn

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Cabinet backs IMF loan for developing countries

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Swiss firms await Libya diplomatic outcome

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Tests aim to help humans adapt to space

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Central bank holds interest rate steady

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